Building respect for Intellectual Property and Tourism in Trinidad and Tobago

A brief overview of the activities being undertaken by the Trinidad and Tobago Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs regarding its ‘Building Respect for Intellectual Property and Tourism’ Programme

The Trinidad and Tobago Intellectual Property Office (IPO) requested and obtained technical assistance from the Building Respect for Intellectual Property Division of the World Intellectual Property Office to enable it to design and implement a ‘Building Respect for Intellectual Property’ (BRIP) programme in Trinidad and Tobago.

The programme’s main objective is to reduce the levels of piracy and counterfeit activities among tourists and locals in Trinidad and Tobago. To achieve its goals, the IPO established a BRIP function and assigned an officer dedicated to manage the programme. It involves an education, information and training strategy. A minibus, ICT equipment and communication materials as well as seven hundred thousand dollars (TT$700,000.00) from the Public Sector Investment Programme budget have been assigned to this programme.

The programme activities and associated multimedia campaign are packaged as a roving Intellectual Property (IP) exhibition and clinic labelled “IP-MOBILE”. IP-MOBILE provides a facility to meet and talk IP with the various publics. IP-MOBILE hardware comprises a colourful minivan, two outdoor tents fitted with tables and chairs to host visitors and house the exhibits, complemented by ICT equipment for accessing the Internet and playing videos and other presentations.

IP-MOBILE journeys throughout the country, reaching many publics: primary and secondary school and university students, academia, industry, business, government and the general public at their organizations and event locations including tourist hot spots. The services provided range from the distribution of IP-related flyers and posters, audiovisual presentations and discussions on IP issues.

The IPO also introduced the “Building Respect for Intellectual Property and Tourism” poster competition for secondary school students in Tobago. The competition serves to create awareness of the harmful effects of piracy and counterfeiting among the Tobago youth. With an increasing demand for its services, the IPO will continue to raise awareness of IP on a sustainable basis.